Tsogwane supports ministries’ relocation to Francistown
Chakalisa Dube | Tuesday July 4, 2023 09:10
Tsogwane was speaking here at the official reopening of one of Francistown’s major malls, the Blue Jacket Plaza, on Friday. He pointed out that the relocation of some of the ministries could help boost the economy of the city. The Francistown’s economy has been on a downward spiral since the liquidation of Tati Nickel Mining Company (TNMC) more than five years ago. When in operation, the mine played a vital role in the economic ecosystem of the city. Thousands of jobs were also directly and indirectly lost when the mine ceased operations. “In our role as government, we will endeavour to ready the environment for more investments and diversity throughout the country. “I will sincerely plead with His Excellency (President Mokgweetsi Masisi) to move a couple of ministries here to revitalise this city,” Tsogwane said in his address at the official opening. Government has previously been urged to consider moving some of the ministries and some of her key entities to Francistown with a view to resuscitating the city’s ailing economy. “All economic resuscitation efforts have been directed to Selebi-Phikwe since the liquidation of the BCL but the Francistown economy is also struggling after the closure of TNMC. “I plead with the government to consider relocating some of the ministries to Francistown. The move will be one way of boosting economic activity in the city,” Francistown deputy mayor, Lesego Kwambala remarked in a previous full council meeting.
TNMC was under the BCL Group, which was liquidated in 2016. Premium Nickel Resources Botswana is resuscitating BCL’s Selebi-Phikwe operations and also has plans for Selkirk Mine, one of the two operations at the former TNMC. Kwambala’s position was widely backed by his colleagues in the council. Tsogwane said the reopening of the mall serves as a testament that Francistown still has potential for growth. “This revitalisation project is not merely about giving a facelift to a physical space. It is about investing in the future of Francistown,” he said. “It is about creating an environment where businesses can thrive and where dreams can take flight. I have got no doubt that the new mall will serve as a catalyst for economic growth, attraction of investors and generation of employment opportunities,” Tsogwane alleuded.
He highlighted that good supporting infrastructure such as shopping malls can serve as a bait to attract investors to the city. The Blue Jacket Plaza is owned by NBC Developments, which is a partnership between Botswana Insurance Fund Management, Letlole La Rona and Northern Investment (Proprietary) Limited. Khumo Property Asset Management manages the centre on behalf of NBC Developments. The redevelopment of the mall was aimed at revitalising the shopping centre which had aged and grappled with parking limitations over time. To address these, a few additions were made to the building including a floor of retail space, parking deck, vehicle access ramp and escalators.